Chernobyl. A safety test turning into a disaster (1986)

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Written by: 360.org

Thursday, 26 April 2018

1986 -

In 1986, on the 26th of April, disaster struck the world. The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant was in for a safety test that day, but due to construction and judgemental errors, reactor no. 4 heated up at a painstakingly fast rate, making the entire reactor blow. The explosion alone was enough to take lives, but the worst part was still ahead of the people of Chernobyl and beyond.

Radiation poisoning
The nearby living people were only warned over 24 hours later that evacuation was necessary. The accident would have long lasting effects, because the radiation, normally contained within the reactor, now came storming out, affecting humans, animals and nature.
Due to the exposure to radiation, many people in the area suffered radiation poisoning, causing genetic mutations. To prevent the radioactive material to spread any further, people went into the destroyed plant, knowing there was probably no return.

Still dangerous
Because of the seriousness of the Chernobyl disaster, measures were in line. New regulations were being pushed through and the construction of two new plants in Chernobyl was quit. The exact amount of deaths by the disaster is debatable, but the number is definitely high. The processed substances are still as dangerous as they were in 1986.

360 trivial fact
The explosion was of a world-scale, because contaminated rain even reached far-away countries like Ireland. People were advised not to eat vegetables that grew in open air at the time of the disaster.feedback@360.org